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Fat Tuesday event helps hungry senior citizens in Northwest Arkansas

"Chase the Blues Away" celebrates Mardi Gras while helping those at risk.

Updated: 11:11 PM CST Feb 9, 2016

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Fat Tuesday event helps hungry senior citizens in Northwest Arkansas

"Chase the Blues Away" celebrates Mardi Gras while helping those at risk.

Updated: 11:11 PM CST Feb 9, 2016

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Fayetteville, Ark- —

One Northwest Arkansas group celebrated Fat Tuesday in a different way than most-- by helping the hungry.

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"Chase the Blues Away" was hosted by the Chase Family Foundation to celebrate Mardi Gras and raise awareness of seniors at risk for hunger in Northwest Arkansas.

The event featuring live music and Cajun food at Mermaid's in Fayetteville was a fundraiser for the foundation to help hungry senior citizens.

Organizers say the state of Arkansas is first in the nation in the number of seniors at risk for hunger.

John Bakker of the Chase Family Foundation says this part of the state has the highest number of elderly with food insecurity. "One out of three seniors over 60 years old in Washington and Benton Counties won't have dinner tonight because they really can't afford to buy their food," said Bakker.

The Chase Family Foundation also has several food drives throughout the year.